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Statement: Governments must include water access in poverty alleviation strategies by 2030

8/26/2011

Participants of world’s leading conference on water agree on set of
recommendations for leaders attending the UN’s Rio+20 Summit on sustainable
development

Stockholm, Sweden - A powerful statement was sent to the
United Nations today, that protecting freshwater ecosystems and securing access
to water is central to poverty alleviation and the development of robust green
economies – a position that Conservation International strongly
supports.

The Stockholm Statement was agreed
by the participants at the closing of the annual World Water Week conference. It
outlined the need for local, national and international policy-makers attending
the 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro (Rio+20
Summit) to commit to provide safe drinking water, adequate sanitation and modern
energy services to all by the year 2030.

The statement, presented by the Stockholm International Water Institute
(SIWI), and endorsed by a number of international organizations, says:

"Population growth, expanding cities and accelerating economic activity
increase the demand for energy and food and create unsustainable pressure on our
water and land resources. By 2030, in a business as usual scenario, humanity’s
demand for water could outstrip supply by as much as 40 per cent.”

It adds: “The foundation for a resource efficient green economy must be built
upon water, energy and food security – and these issues must be addressed in an
integrated, holistic manner that values the natural environment and recognises
the carrying capacity of the planet.”

The statement also asked for the passing of national legislation by all
countries to guarantee access to water and sanitation for all, and the creation
of economic and social incentives to promote water use efficiency and protect
freshwater ecosystems.

Tracy Farrell, Senior Director of Conservation International’s
freshwater initiative who is in Stockholm attending World Water Week,
said: “We’re living a global water crisis, which demands that we respond with
combined solutions to maintain our freshwater ecosystems, the sources of this
vital resource. It’s important that we do not miss the big picture by focusing
only on the consumer end of this problem. We must protect and restore our lakes,
rivers and wetlands, since they provide us with water for drinking, food
production, power generation, transportation and so many other important
benefits.”

“Leaders attending the Rio+20 Summit have a unique opportunity to make a real
impact on the well-being of millions of people, mainly the rural poor, if they
incorporate the value of water and other natural resources at the center of
economic and human development plans.”

Note to editors:Conservation International (CI) —
Building upon a strong foundation of science, partnership and field
demonstration, CI empowers societies to responsibly and sustainably care for
nature, our global biodiversity, for the long term well-being of people. Founded
in 1987, CI has headquarters in the Washington, DC area, and nearly 900
employees working in more than 30 countries on four continents, plus 1,000+
partners around the world. For more information, visit www.conservation.org , and follow us on Twitter: @ConservationOrg
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